Method obi andi means for conveying fluids



May 28, 1929. A. R. SMITH METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR CONVEYING FLUIDS Filed Nov. 24, 1926 Invencor": Arthur R. Smith 5 M 2%,;

His Attorney Patented May 28, 1929.

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ARTHUR SMITH, OF SCHENECTADY, YORK, ,ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

METHOD OF AND'MEANS FOB CONVEYING FLUIDS.

Application filed November 24, 1926. Serial No. 150,603.

In connection with the production and utilization of fluids of substantial pressure and high temperature, such as for example, highly superheated steam, the problem of the transportation ofthe fluid from its point-of production to its point of utilization is a serious one in that the piping reaches-a temperature of a value such that its strength may be impaired and in that, dueto the high tein perature, the-loss ofheat by radiation tends to become excessive The object 01": my invention is to provide improved method of and means or arrangementefor conveying fluids of .high temperature, and for aconside'ration of what I believe to. be novel a'nd my invention, attention is directed to theaccompanying description and the claims appended thereto.

In the drawing, the figure is a diagrammatic view partly in section, of a construction embodying my invention.

Referring to the drawing, the invention is shown as being embodied in a conduit for conveying superheated vapor such as steam,

from a boiler 1 to a steam turbine 2, this being a a use forwhich my invention is well adapted.

According to the invention, I provide two concentric pipes, an inner pipe 3 and an outer pipe 4, .the outer pip-e being arranged in;

spaced relation to the inner pipe whereby there is provided between them an annular conduit 5. Annular conduit 5 communicates at one end with the vapor space of boiler 1. Inner pipe 3 is connected to a superheater 6 which in turn is connected to the vapor space of boiler 1 by a pipe 7. Pipes 3 and 4 as shown provide a conduit means which is being utilized to convey vapor to turbine 2, the admission of vapor to the turbine being controlled by a valve 8 which is to be taken as indicating any suitable valve gear for the turbine. This valve gear for the turbine controls the flow of elastic fluid to the turbine from both the pipe 3 and the conduit 5, the elastic fluid which flows through conduit 5 mixing with that from the pipe 3. a In pipe 3 is a control valve 9. The flow of vapor through annular conduit 5 is shown as being controlled by a valve 10 in a by-pass conduit 11 which conveys vapor around, a partition wall 12 in annular conduit 5.

I pipe 3 carries fluid of a high temperature; for

example, it maybe superheated steam hav-, ing a temperature of the order of 750 F. or 1000 F. while the annular conduit 5 carries fluid 01' substantially lower temperature, for example, steam of a temperature correspond ing to saturated steam at the boiler pressure. The pressure in pipes 3 and 4: are substantially equal, the pressure diflerence at most being only a few pounds. The pressures on the inside and outside of pipe 3,'therefore, are substantially the same which means that pipe 3 is not required to withstand a high pressure. This being the case, even though the temperature of pipe 3 were so high that it resulted in impairing the strength of the metal no harm would result. Or viewed fromanother, aspect, sincepipe 3 is not required to withstand high pressure, it may be constructed accordingly. In substance, it functions only as a partition Wall or shell,deflning different tempe'rature zones in the same conduit means. Pipe 4 is subjected to the full boiler pressure. It is the pressure retaining pipe or conduit and provides the mechanical means for con lining the fluid. However, since it is conveying steam of moderate temperature, its construction involves no unusual problems. The strength of the material isnot ail'ected by high temperature fluid which is carried by the inner pipeor conduit. y

The amount 01 fluid flowing through the respective conduits 3 and 5 is regulated by valves 9 and 10. The amount of fluid it will be desirable to convey through conduit 5 may depend also 011 the difl'erence in temperatures of the fluids in the two conduits and the length of the conduits.

pressure in the vapor space of the boiler drum is higher than the pressure at the discharge end of the superheater. Also, the velocity of the fluid in the outer conduit can be regulated With the above described arrangement,

so that it is very much lower than the vesequently, the pressure available for forcing the fluid through the outer conduit is the pressure drop in the superheater and the difference in flow-in steam between the inner and'the outer conduit. 7

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the prin ciple of operation of my invention, together With the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention may-be carried out by-other means.

- that the tensile strength the mate-rial of theou-terconduit is not reduced. below a value sufficient to safely confine the fluid.

'2. In the utilization ot superheated vapor, the method of conveying it which comprises conveying it through a conduit surrounded by asecond conduit through which saturated vapor of substantially the same pressure is carried. l i

3. The combination with a vapor'generator having a vapor drum and a supcr'heater, of

means for conveying vapor therefrom -co1nprisingconcentric conduits, the inner conduit be'ingconnected to the superneater, and the outer conduit being connected to the vapor drum.

' d. Thecombination with a vapor generator having a vapor drum anda supe-rheater, of

} means forconveying vapor therefrom comprising concentric conduits, the-inner conduit being'connected to the superheater and the outer conduit being connected to the vapor drum, and means connected with the outer conduit vfor controlling the flow of vapor therethrough.

5. In combination, a double conduit for conveyinga high temperature fluid under pressure, comprisingan outer conduit having n'i'echanical strength at normal temperatures sufficient to withstand the pressure of the fluid, an inner conduit concentric with the first conduit for conveying the high tempera ture fluid, and means for supplying a lower temperature fluid to the ou ter conduit at a pressure substantially equal to that of the hightemperature fluid. I V

6. The method o fconv cyin-g high temperature elastic fluid under pressure, which comprises conveying the'elastic fluid through a conduit and causing the walls of said conduit to be su'bJec-ted to external pressure by a fluid of substantially the same pressure and of a, lower temperature flowmg about and along said conduit at a controlled rate, the temperature and rate 01' flow of said fluid'being such that thetemperature of the confining means therefor is maintained below a value at and above which its tensile strength is 1111'- paired.

7. The method of conveying high tempera- 1 ture elastic fluid under pressure, which comprises conveying theelastic fluid through a conduit which is surrounded by, a second conduit and subjecting the first conduit to the temperature and the second conduit to the pressure of the fluid, by passing a fluid of lower temperature and of substantially the same pressure through the second conduit at a controlled rate of flow.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set "my hand this 23d day of November, 1926.

4 ARTHUR R. SMITH. 

